Posts tagged “mount”

I have read various blogs that weight the effectiveness of the new feature that Blizzard Entertainment has announced recently. That feature is “Annual Pass.”

Blizzard’s Annual Pass has made some subscribers (current and former) complain about having to commit to a year’s subscription to get some free stuff. I don’t see how current players can complain other than not being able to let their account become inactive. Former players have the legitimate concern that the cost to catch up to what will be the current version will far outweight the free download of Diablo III, a Beta key, an in-game pet and mount.

I personally don’t mind as I have not suspended my two main accounts since the day I activated them four years ago. With that being said, it is curious that I kind of hesitated accepting Blizzard’s offer.

I knew that I was going to purchase and play Diablo III when it comes out.

I know I plan to continue to play WoW until that happens.

I definitely want the mount. (don’t judge me)

I guess the thing that bothers me most was the fact that I will also automatically get a Beta Test Key to test the Mist of Pandaria expansion when it comes out.

Now don’t get me wrong, I’ve always wanted to beta test a WoW expansion. (especially with the amount of time I have devoted to WoW) However, this (in a way) feels sort of like I bought gold from a gold seller or something.

You see, Beta Keys (to me) seemed random and special. It was like someone at Blizz said, “Hey, we’d like you to give us your idea on how the game is working, cause we know you love WoW and have devoted so much time to the development of your characters even though you have a full-time job!”

Now, just because that same full-time job can allow me to afford a year’s subscription, I AUTOMATICALLY get a Beta Key??

OH. . . I WILL take the key, but somehow it doesn’t feel a special as I thought it would be, ya know?

I am not one to knock Blizzard and WoW, because I love both. If I felt the need to Troll either, I wouldn’t even post it, cause I can’t stand people who do so! They should just move on and not bother tainting the newer subscribers . . . but I digress.

Part of the enjoyment I get from the game was working toward a goal and finally achieving said goal. None of these goals involved paying real or virtual cash to complete the task. So, in a way, that’s what it feels like to me.

I also know that Blizzard doesn’t want to give away a million Betas even though that could equate to a guaranteed additional million subscribers for a year. I assume at some point the Beta offer will end while still allowing to obtain some loot for the subscription commitment.

Again for me, I will continue to pay a subscription fee regardless of the outcome. I will end up getting a free copy of Diablo III and a chance to be like TotalHalibut on Youtube.com. Man…now I’ve got to order Fraps!!

Besides Beta has all the hiccups and glitches that could be more annoying that fun! Well, I want to experience them anyway!!

Is anyone else out there going to take advantage of this offer? Do you think it is fair for Blizz to force a one-year subscription out of you to ensure the success of the new arrival to their gaming arsenal?

Zaren had run carefree round the forest of Elwynn and enjoyed the love of friends and family until adulthood when he was recruited to fight for his King and nation.

He traveled to the village of Northshire where he began his training as a Warrior to defend the Kingdom of Stormwind.

One of his first tasks was to go into Echo Ridge Mine and rid the area of a Kobold infestation. From level one to six (because he didn’t know any better back then) he spend time in a mine killing Kobols and taking their candles for some reason. He also found that with each kill, he was awarded a small amount of copper. “Hmmm,” he said. “I could probably buy a new sword if I earn enough copper!” So Zaren killed and killed kobolds until one day, he had amassed 75 silver!

“Huzzah! I will have a gold one day! ” he exclaimed. So Zaren continued to slaughter poor little Kobolds until one magical day, his heavy copper and silver ladden pouch suddenly became lighter! Upon inspection, he found that all the coins he had accummulated dissappeared and in its place was a solitary gold coin!

Zaren couldn’t believe it! “I’m gonna get the best sword ever!!” he thought to himself as he ran over to the arms vendor. Zaren didn’t like the selection that the vendor had and knew that if he traveled to Stormwind, he would find a sword worthy of a Warrior who has downed a multitude of Kobolds.

When his leave time was approved, he followed the road that would lead to Stormwind. Along the way he saw many other souls that were similar in appearance to him. He also saw the occasional traveler on a great mount wearing shiny armor and wondered where the traveler had come from and what adventures he could tell.

After a bit, Zaren found himself getting close to a village named Goldshire. He decided to cut a little bit through the forest, because he had heard the residents of Goldshire was a rowdy bunch and he had no time for distractions. Zaren was on a quest for a proper sword.

For his efforts, Zaren encountered a couple of wolves that seemed to want him for supper! Zaren used every bit of his might, agility and cunning to escape the jaws of the deadly beasts and escaped to within an inch of his life.

Zaren stood at the gates of Stormwind and froze as he gazed at the gigantic statues that lined the path to the inner city. All kinds of travelers and towns people were coming and going. He stopped to read the names and descriptions and he was full of wonder and pride to join the ranks of heroes who defend Stormwind. One day he would be a great hero too, he thought.

Clearing his head, he set back to the task at hand. He stopped a Stormwind Guard to find the location of the nearest weapons dealer and was given a map to the vendor’s location. Upon arriving at his destination, he promptly slammed his gold coin on the counter and said, “One of your finest swords, vendor!”

The vendor looked at Zaren. Then at the single gold coin. Then back at Zaren. The vendor said, “You need about 19 more golds to add to that, son.” Zaren was crushed! ” How am I supposed to get that kind of money??” Vendor said one word, “QUEST.”

Dejected, Zaren walked the city trying to figure out what to do. He was gonna be due back at Northshire soon and suddenly he saw a strange sight.

It was a large Warrior wearing heavy bright armor ladden with gems that sparkled. He was riding what looked to be . . . a Ram?

He had never seen such a beast before. It looked so big to him. He had to investigate.

Zaren walked up to the Ram apparently forgetting that there was a rider on it. He looked the Ram up and down. He ran circles around the beast to get a look at if from all sides. He got real close to it and backed up for a wider view. It was almost as if Zaren was some kind of insect the way he circled the beast to get a good look.

Zaren had totally forgotten about the Rams rider who apparently had noticed the annoying little human. In an effort to find out what Zaren wanted, the Warrior rider turned his mount abruptly toward Zaren. Startled by the abrupt move and the size of the rider and mount, Zaren scurried off out of the city back to the road to Northshire.

While avoiding all the obstacle on the way to Northshire, Zaren vowed to himself to become one of the greatest Warriors that Stormwind will ever see.

Some of you may now that Zaren is now a Tauren Warrior for the Horde. How did that happen? Well, that’s a whole other story . . .